FARUKH SHEHZAD

ISLAMABAD, MAR 22: Prime Minister Imran Khan delivered a keynote address at the inaugural session of the 48th Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the Parliament House in Islamabad on Tuesday.

While talking about the OIC's role, he said, "We have failed both the Palestinians and the people of Kashmir. I am sad to say that we have been able to make no impact at all."

The premier said Western countries did "not take the OIC seriously" because "we are a divided house and those powers know it.

"We (Muslims) are 1.5 billion people and yet our voice to stop this blatant injustice is insignificant."

PM Imran said international law was on the side of the people of Palestine and Kashmir, adding that the United Nations Security Council's resolutions backed the right of the Kashmiris to self-determination through a plebiscite. However, the international community never ensured that right was given, he said.

Referring to India's stripping of occupied Kashmir's special status in August 2019, he said "nothing happened because they (India) feels no pressure."

"They feel we can just [pass] a resolution and then [go] back to our usual business."

He cautioned that unless the OIC was united on core issues, human rights abuses would keep happening such as the "daylight robbery in Palestine".

"The only hope I have is that for the first time because of social media, there is awareness in Western countries. Much more than the OIC, it is the mobile phone and the spread of information of the injustices being done to the Palestinians ... at the moment, that is the best way to protect them, not us."

He said India was changing the demography in occupied Kashmir by bringing in settlers from outside but "no one has pushed about it because they think we are ineffective."

Resolution against Islamophobia

The PM began his speech congragulating the Muslim world for the recent adoption of a resolution against Islamophobia by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), that proclaims March 15 as International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

He said the world was now realising that Islamophobia was a reality and more needed to be done to combat it.

"Why was Islam equated with terrorism?" Imran questioned, and referred to the Christchurch attack on a mosque as a consequence of this stereotyping.

"Once that happens, how is the man in the street in Western countries, how is he supposed to differentiate between a moderate Muslim and a radical Muslim? Hence, this man walks into a mosque and shoots everyone he could."

The prime minister said it was unfortunate that the Muslim world was not able to combat this image of Muslims. "What should have been done wasn't; the heads of Muslim countries should have taken a stand on this. Unfortunately this narrative of Islamic terrorism, Islamic radicalisation, this narrative went on unchecked."

In response to this wave of Islamophobia, PM Imran said, some Muslim heads of state said they were moderate Muslims. "When you say this, you automatically say there are some extremist Muslims."

There were moderates, liberals, conservatives and fanatics in every human community, he said. But it was only Muslims who were "branded based on their religion", he added.

Muslim states had made the "biggest mistake" by not challenging the narrative because of which Muslims residing in Western countries suffered, he said.

"Any time any terrorist incident by Muslims happened, [it] immediately meant that every Muslim [was] branded. How could the whole community be responsible for some fanatical deed by some extremists?" he asked.

"They were able to vilify our religion and yet there was no coherent response from the Muslim world." Referring to the recently passed UN resolution, the premier said he hoped that from now onwards, the Muslim community would be able to put forward its narrative.

He also spoke about the state of Madinah, which he said had laid the foundation of "one of the greatest civilisations in human history".

He said he was glad that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was attending the moot because he wanted people to understand what brought about "one of the greatest revolutions of all time".

"The state of Madinah was ahead of its time and it was the first welfare state in the world. It was a state that took care of its weak, orphans, widows, poor people."

The premier said he was saddened because some European states "look after their animals better than some of us treat our people".

Prime minister rued, "wherever you go ... we imprison our women, they have no rights. And sometimes, it almost seems the US invaded Afghanistan to liberate the women.

"Sadly, cultural issues are equated with our religion ... Let's not confuse Muslim imperialism with the 10 years of the prophet in Madinah. Because that's not what the prophet preached. The whole revolution was about ideas."

Afghanistan and Ukraine

The premier also spoke about the global situation, expressing his apprehension that the world is "headed in the wrong way".

A new Cold War had almost started and the world could be divided into blocs, he said, stressing that unless 1.5bn Muslims took a united stand, "we will be nowhere."

No other people had suffered as much as the people of Afghanistan, he said, adding that for the first time in 40 years, there was "no conflict" in the war-torn country. "The only danger now is through the sanctions [imposed on Afghanistan] and non-recognition", which could cause a humanitarian crisis, he cautioned.

He said it was "extremely important" to stabilise Afghanistan because it was the "only way we are going to be able to stop international terrorism from Afghan soil".

"Let's not be delusional that some other country can come in and fight terrorism through drones. The only way is a stable Afghanistan government that can take care of terrorism.

"Anyone who knows the Afghan character should be cautioned, please do not push the people of Afghanistan where they feel their sovereignty is being threatened."

The premier called on the OIC to encourage the Afghan people and include them in the international community, saying he believed the "people of Afghanistan are strong enough to evolve and go in the right direction."

Talking about the ongoing war in Ukraine, PM Imran suggested that the OIC foreign ministers should discuss how the body could "mediate, try to bring about a ceasefire and an end to the conflict".

If the war continued, it would have "great consequences for the world", he cautioned. "All countries that are non-partisan are in a special position to be able to influence this conflict."

He again repeated his suggestion that the foreign ministers discuss the issue, adding that he would also talk about it with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi about how the OIC, along with China, "can influence the events in Ukraine and stop this and have some ceasefire and resolve this conflict".

Earlier, in his opening speech, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi stressed that the forum is a bridge amongst Muslim nations and the rest of the world, highlighting its role in resolving conflicts in the Muslim world.

Before his opening remarks, Pakistan assumed the chair of the 48th session of the moot with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi chairing the session.

The two-day annual meeting of the 57-member body of Muslim countries is being held under the theme of 'Building Partnerships for Unity, Justice, and Development'. About 46 member states are being represented at the ministerial level in the meeting. The rest will be represented by senior officials.

Qureshi urges collective response

Qureshi urged the OIC to forge a collective response to meet the challenges faced by the Muslim Ummah, emphasising that the OIC is the collective voice of nearly two billion Muslims.

"It is a bridge amongst the Muslim countries and the international community. Promoting solidarity and cooperation within the Muslim Ummah is one of the central pillars of Pakistan’s foreign policy," he said, adding that Pakistan’s overarching goal as chair of the 48th session of the OIC meeting shall be to further solidify the cooperation amongst the Muslim countries.

"The Muslim world is faced with conflicts in the Middle East, prolonged foreign occupation, and the denial of the right to self-determination, most notably to the people of Palestine and Kashmir," Qureshi said.

"The Muslims of Palestine and the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are still reeling under abominable subjugation. For the last seven decades, they have struggled to achieve their inalienable right to self-determination," the foreign minister noted.

Resentment in Muslims, he pointed out, is increasing due to frequent external interventions in Muslim countries. "More than two-thirds of all refugees worldwide come from just five countries: Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Somalia."

Qureshi said Muslim countries are hosting the largest number of refugees [presently].

"While we must work to prevent outside interference in the Muslim World, we alone can find solutions to internal fissures and challenges. The key to ending these conflicts and disputes is comprehensive engagement and cooperation among the Islamic countries," he suggested.

A similar resolve and unity, the minister urged, is needed in countering what he referred to as the ideologies of hate such as Islamophobia and right-wing racism. "Repeated incidents of desecration of the Holy Quran and reprinting of caricatures have seriously hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world. They also cause great anguish within the Islamic world."

Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha, Islamic Development Bank President Dr Muhammad Suleiman Al-Jasser, Chinese State Councilor, and Foreign Minister Wangi Yi also addressed the session. A video message by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was shown as well.

'China stands with Palestinians'

Taking the stage at the OIC moot, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that maintaining friendly relations lies at the heart of the traditions of China.

"China can never forget the support of the Islamic world in the United Nations," he said, assuring unwavering assistance for the Muslims in Palestine.

"China stands with the Palestinian people for a two-state solution."

Regarding Afghanistan, Yi assured that China stands with the war-torn country for all possible assistance and cooperation for peace, development and reconstruction.

He revealed that China has, so far, donated 1.3bn coronavirus vaccine doses to 50 countries and promised 300 million more doses. "We are also investing $400bn in 600 projects in the Muslim world."

More than 54 countries, he said, are a part of the One Belt One Road Initiative, which is a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013.

The Chinese minister stressed that clashes between nations should be avoided via negotiations and dialogue, which is also what China is in favour of.

"China stands ready for cooperation with the Islamic world," he vowed, adding that the country is ready to work for regional security, stability, and development.

Talking about the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Yi said that China supports negotiations between the two countries.

Meeting's agenda

During the two-day conference, more than 100 resolutions will be overviewed.

The agenda of the meeting covers a review of the developments affecting the Muslim world since the last CFM held in Niamey in 2020 and efforts undertaken by the secretariat for the implementation of resolutions adopted in previous sessions, especially on Palestine and Al Quds.

The participants would also deliberate on the situation in Afghanistan and India-held Jammu and Kashmir.

Issues pertaining to Africa and Muslims in Europe and developments in Yemen, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, and Syria, will also be taken up at the meeting.

The agenda, moreover, includes Islamophobia and issues related to international terrorism and cooperation in economic, cultural, social, humanitarian, and scientific domains.

On March 23, foreign ministers will visit the venue of the Pakistan Day parade. Later in the day, FM Qureshi along with OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha will hold a joint press stakeout following the conclusion of the session.

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Courtesy Dawn News

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QUETTA, MAR 21: “The past couple of decades have witnessed Government of Balochistan’s efforts to improve education service delivery in the province. Nevertheless, the struggle to effectively serve most marginalized learners particularly girls continues,”  saidTayyaba Aurangzeb, Acting Country Director, International Rescue Committee, in a press statement issued by the International Rescue Committee(IRC). To understand the key barriers to education in Balochistan, particularly for adolescent girls, and identify potential solutions, the International Rescue Committee reached out to key stakeholders and communities. 

Based on the discussions, the International Rescue Committee published a five-part series of white papers under its Teach and Educate Adolescent Girls with Community Help (TEACH) initiative. The white papters point to five main challenges that adversely impact girls’ education:  insufficient schools, long commute to schools, dearth of female teachers, lack of basic facilities in schools and the absence of gender responsive budgeting. 

“Each published white paper focused on one fundamental issue facing girls to access education and proposed a set of recommendations,” shared Tayyaba Aurangzeb, Acting Country Director, International Rescue Committee.

On the demand-side coherent awareness raising campaigns to propagate the importance of girls’ education and discourage practices such as early and child marriages can go a long way in improving girls’ access to education as well as their retention in school and completion of post-primary education.

The key supply-side barriers that require immediate rederessal include the provision of basic facilities such as clean water, gender-sensitive health and hygiene facilities,boundary walls, and electricity. Trained female teaching and administrative staff in post-primary schools, and the provision of subject specialist teachers in science and math are also important supply-side considerations that require immediate attention. 

Finally, the commencement of second shifts in existing primary schools, up-gradation of existing primary schools,and construction of new post-primary schools for girls were among the short- and long-term solutions presented in International Rescue Committee’swhite papers.

Ms. Aurangzeb added, “A coherent gender-sensitive approach to education service delivery will be needed that addresses demand- and supply-side barriers to girls’ education through a variety of innovative strategies to ensure that the access, quality and retention concerns are resolved.”

International Rescue Committee’s TEACH initiative is designed to overcome prominent barriers to education for girls in Balochistan. TEACH also aims to raise nationwide awareness about binding constraints that continue to deprive more than 13 million girls across Pakistan of their right to education.

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State broadcaster CCTV said the crash "caused a mountain fire" which was later extinguished.

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Courtesy news.com.au

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KARACHI, MAR 21: The Board of Management, Quaid-e-Azam House Museum – Institute of Nation Building constituted as a public/ private venture and given legal cover by Sindh Government Notification dated 6th April, 2021 will be celebrating Pakistan Day on 23rd March, 2022 at Quaid-e-Azam House Museum, Karachi.

The Event will include Flag hoisting and National Anthem played by the students' band of Ida Rieu School, Karachi who will also sing the National Anthem along with students of (i) Jinnah Foundation School, (ii) Ida Rieu School and (iii) Hamdard Public School.

Following the National Anthem and patriotic songs, Mrs Nadira Panjwani a Member of the Board of Management and a reputed Philanthropist, Educationists and Head of Ida Rieu School and Panjwani Charitable Foundation and Trust will address the audience. Mrs Panjwani has been chosen as the main speaker at the Event in order to acknowledge Women’s International Day as she is a women leader in her own right.

The Jinnah Society commissioned a book on Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah especially for students aged 6 – 12 years. Ms Amina Azfar wrote the book “OUR QUAID” in which the Foreword has been written by Mrs Nadira Panjwani and an Introduction by Ms Ameena Saiyid also a Member of the Board. The book has been published by Lightstone Publishers.  The book will be launched at the same event by Mr Liaquat Merchant and Mrs Nadira Panjwani. Amina Azfar, the author of ‘Our Quid’ will also speak at its launch.

The book on Quaid-e-Azam for children aged 6 – 12 years is in English and was the brainchild of Mr Liaquat H. Merchant it was sponsored by Habib Metropolitan Bank Limited, Karachi. This book will be translated into Urdu and Sindhi and distributed throughout the country along with the English version.

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Editor-In-Chief / Farukh Shehzad

Famous Religious Scholar Molana Tariq Jameel has praised PM Imran Khan for his honesty and said that a lot of people talk about Imran Khan has weak team members.

Molana Tariq Jameel said I am a big fan of PM Imran Khan’s Cricket, He further said that in Cricket World Cup 1992 where Imran Khan was captaining the team and that time Pakistan’s team was also weak but Imran Khan was fully committed to win 92 World Cup.

He was expressing his views on a Youtube Channel few days back.

We were near to getting out of the tournament and despite weak team and low quality performance in World Cup 92 under the leadership of PM Imran Pakistan won the World Cup 1992 and became World Champion, Molana Tariq Jameel said.

Furthermore he said that we all should pray and support to PM Imran Khan because he is honest and he has a beautiful dream of turning Pakistan into Riaasat-e-Madina.

According to Molana Tariq Jameel PM Imran had three big dreams, out of the two have completed with honesty and now he is walking towards completion of 3rd dream which is turning Pakistan into Riaasat-e-Madina.

The Three Big Dreams of PM Imran Khan

1:   Was winning World Cup 1992 - - - - He Achieved.

2:   Building up Shaukat Khanum Hospital - - - - He Achieved.

3:  Turning Pakistan into Riyasat-e-Madina - - - He, On The Move To Achieve

Famous Religious Scholar Molana Tariq Jameel has also praised PM Imran’s wife for her Islamic and simple lifestyle and said her life is a great example for the entire women of Pakistan.

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ISLAMABAD, MAR 20: With the increase in online transactions, customer demands are changing, and to keep up with them banks must embrace human-centric and customer-first digital transformation. 

The patron of building a fully connected, intelligent world, Huawei, and enabler of a digital tomorrow, Systems Limited, formed a strategic alliance to navigate the way forward regarding the advancement of digital banking.

The signing ceremony took place on March 11, 2022, in the presence of Asif Peer, CEO & MD, Systems Limited, and Shahzad Rasheed, CEO, Huawei Cloud. 

Systems Limited has always been at the forefront of digital advancement and has taken multiple initiatives in the past to reshape the delivery and structure of financial services around technology to meet customer demands, anytime and anywhere.

Key personnel from the IT and banking were also present at the ceremony. The group discussed how technology has a huge impact on customer behavior, service and product innovation, business operation, and the vast potential it holds for the banking sector.

Asif Peer, CEO & Managing Director at Systems Limited, expressed, “We are visualizing a disruption and growth in the digital banking landscape of Pakistan to support business innovation in this new era. 

Banks are rapidly moving towards digital transformation, and we will be working closely to ensure refined customer management, channel optimization, and diverse ecosystem-wide collaboration. With partnerships such as this, we are on the right path of establishing a comprehensive global digital transformation strategy.”

Considering the newly announced cloud-first policy by the government of Pakistan, this partnership between Huawei and Systems Limited will help stabilize the digital banking ecosystem in Pakistan. 

The goal behind this partnership is to equip organizations with an end-to-end cloud-based architecture, assist them in meeting ever-evolving customer needs, and help them thrive in the digital world. Leveraging Huawei cloud infrastructure and System Limited’s enterprise-class cloud, information security, and digital banking services, both partners will be able to provide a ready-made, quick to onboard digital ecosystem in Pakistan.

Mr. Shahzad Rasheed, CEO Huawei Cloud reiterated that Huawei Pakistan is committed to expediting the journey of digitalization in the country and how that would be an impossible dream to achieve without Cloud. 

With the entry of digital banks in the financial industry we can expect monumental growth. China is a global leader in the world of banking and we will work towards connecting the Pakistani and Chinese Banks so we can learn from their experience and expertise. 

We are, and always will remain committed to the growth of the ICT Industry in Pakistan and look forward to working with Systems Limited as our strategic partner in this journey.

The emerging banks will have an in-country platform to set up their digital banking services robustly and seamlessly without a need for huge capital expenditure. 

Moving forward with Systems Limited’s global vision, the partners also aim to take these services outside Pakistan as well. This will also lead to multiple job opportunities in Pakistan.

Through the cloud, big data, and next-gen IT architecture, Systems Limited, and Huawei can help financial firms navigate the challenges of the customer-first and digital-first era.

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Malakand, MAR 20: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday fired a broadside at the opposition that has filed a no-trust motion against him in the National Assembly, warning them that “you are going to lose this match badly.”

The premier faces a major threat in the National Assembly as his fate is set to be decided in a no-trust resolution amid a number of own party’s MNAs turning against him and indicating that they would vote against him — something that he and his ministers allege has been due to bribes offered by the opposition alliance.

Speaking at a rally in Malakand, PM Imran said he had been advised to offer like-for-like bribes and bring back dissident MNAs to the party fold. He said he would prefer to lose his government than offer bribes and take the same route as the opposition allegedly has.

“I curse on the government that requires me to bring back defected leaders using public money,” he told the rally.

PM Imran vowed to “forgive” his MNAs who have threatened to defect and vote against him in the upcoming no-trust move, saying “I will forgive you if you come back. We all commit mistakes. I am like a father who forgives his children and I will pardon you as well.”

He asked the “turncoats” to think of their children and their families who he said would not be given respect and honour anywhere if they go through with their plans.

The prime minister criticised Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif and other opposition leaders who called him out for saying “absolutely not” to the US request for military bases in Pakistan and elucidated the context of his statement.

“I had said absolutely not to a question when I was asked whether Pakistan will give a base to US in Pakistan for actions in Afghanistan… we cannot afford such an approach,” the premier explained.

He said he had told the America time and again that Pakistan would support it in peace and not in any war.

The premier then fired a broadside at Shehbaz for objecting to his criticism of European Union envoys who had urged Pakistan to condemn Russia in the United Nations. Imran said the EU ambassadors had violated the protocol by asking Pakistan to condemn Russia.

“I rightly asked them whether they will write a similar letter to India… Are we their slaves that they ask us to give a statement against any country,” the PM said in a reiteration of his statement against the EU representatives earlier this month.

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Courtesy Dawn News

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ISLAMABAD, MAR 20: Cases of domestic violence across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa saw a rise in the aftermath of the pandemic-triggered lockdowns. This posed serious implications for women’s wellbeing, their sexual and reproductive health, their mental health, and their ability to participate and lead in the recovery of our societies and economy. 

The situation was graver in communities with high rates of illiteracy and multi-dimensional poverty.”  

These views were shared by Tayyaba Aurangzeb – Deputy Director Operations/Country Director (Acting/Interim) in a press statement issued by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) at the conclusion of its Reproductive Health initiative supported by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Pakistan Village Development Program (PVDP).

Simultaneous to the outbreak of COVID-19,the increased incidence of violence against women and girls globally, especially domestic violence led the United Nations to declare it as a “shadow pandemic.” Speaking about IRC’s contribution to alleviating this grim situation she added, “We launched an intervention to improve the health and safety of women and girls, with a focus on those with reduced access to Reproductive Health (RH), and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) response services during the pandemic.”

During the course of the intervention, IRC delivered an essential and life-saving integrated package of GBV and RH interventions to women, adolescent girls, transgender people and men, in Swat and Peshawar Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. 

These districts were selected owing to a high need and minimal availability of SRH and GBV services as part of the humanitarian response.

IRC in partnership with the provincial government, ensured delivery of health services including prenatal, natal, infant care, family planning, contraceptives, and nutrional councelling. 

In addition, IRC established 10 safe spaces to deliver psychological councelling, awareness and vocational training to those most in need in the target districts of Swat and Peshawar.

Capacity-building exercises were also conducted so that women in the targeted districts had information, power, and resources to decide in case they wished to seek Sexual and Reproductive Health and Gender-Based Violence response services. 

Efforts were also made to ensure that women and girls at an individual and community level had the demonstrative capacity to respond when faced with a crisis situation.

“International Rescue Committee remains hopeful that this intervention will go a long way in creating an enabling environment to effectively respond to issues of Reproductive Health as well as Gender-Based Violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” read the statement.

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WASHINGTON, MAR 20: The Biden administration has indicated its desire to continue a careful engagement with Pakistan without committing to either improving or degrading ties with a country that was once a close ally.

The indication came at a Friday afternoon news briefing at the White House when Press Secretary Jen Psaki ignored two provocative questions that she could have used to either criticise Pakistan’s current policies or to underline the US desire to repair ties with Islamabad.

A Pakistani journalist reminded her that many, many months ago Prime Minister Imran Khan had “requested a telephone conversation” with US President Joe Biden. “We haven’t heard anything about that. Is there a specific reason for not communicating with the Pakistani leadership?” the journalist asked.

“I don’t have any update on a planned call or engagement. Obviously, we engage with Pakistan and a range of leaders at a number of levels through the State Department, through our national security team,” the White House press secretary replied. “But in terms of a call or engagement with the president, I don’t have anything to predict on that front.”

WHEN ASKED ABOUT BIDEN-IMRAN PHONE CALL, WHITE HOUSE SAYS IT HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF THAT

The journalist then reminded Ms Psaki that Prime Minister Khan said at recent a public gathering that “he will not be a slave of America like other (Pakistani) politicians”.

“Would you like to comment on that?” he asked.

“We have a long relationship with Pakistan, and that is a relationship we’ll continue through diplomatic channels. So, I don’t have any more comments on that,” Ms Psaki responded.

Last month, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said at a news briefing that the United States still considered Pakistan a strategic partner and Islamabad does not need to strain its relations with Beijing to maintain ties with Washington.

“Pakistan is a strategic partner of the United States. We have an important relationship with the government in Islamabad, and it’s a relationship that we value across a number of fronts,” he said.

Pakistan was a close US ally during the cold war and remained so till the collapse of the Soviet Union. Pakistan played a key role in the anti-Soviet war in Afghanistan and partnered with the United States in the war against terrorism as well.

In July 2019, Prime Minister Khan made an “official working” visit to Washington where he met the then president Donald Trump at the White House. He had another meeting with Mr Trump in New York during the UN General Assembly in September 2019.

Since then, there has been no face-to-face meeting between the leaders of the two countries and President Biden is yet to make a courtesy call to the Pakistani prime minister.

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Courtesy Dawn News

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ISLAMABAD, MAR 20: National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser has summoned the session of the lower house to deliberate on the opposition’s no-confidence resolution against Prime Minister Imran Khan on March 25 (Friday) at 11am, according to a notification issued from the NA Secretariat today.

The session, which will be the 41st of the current National Assembly, was summoned after the joint opposition made the requisition for it under Article 54 of the Constitution along with the submission of the no-confidence motion against the prime minister on March 8.

According to Article 54, once a session of the National Assembly has been requisitioned with signatures of at least 25 per cent of the members on it, the speaker has a maximum of 14 days to summon a session. Therefore, the speaker had to call the lower house in session by March 22.

However, the notification issued by the NA media department, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, explained that on January 21 a motion was adopted by the National Assembly to allow the exclusive use of its chamber for the 48th session of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers on March 22 and 23.

It further said that due to its own chamber’s unavailability, the NA Secretariat had asked the Senate Secretariat to provide its chamber for the lower house’s session but it was also unavailable due to renovation work.

The notification further said that the chairman CDA and Deputy Commissioner Islamabad were also approached for the provision of a suitable place outside the Parliament Building but “they have informed in writing that no suitable place is available at present in Islamabad.”

“In view of the aforementioned facts and circumstances, it is evident that no suitable place would be available for holding the session of the National Assembly till 24th March,” the notification issued in Qaiser’s name stated.

“Therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me under clause (3) of Article 54 of the Constitution … I herby summon the session of the National Assembly on the first available date i.e. 25th March.”

After the NA is in session, the rules of procedure dictate that the secretary will circulate a notice for a no-confidence resolution, which will be moved on the next working day.

From the day the resolution is moved, it “shall not be voted upon before the expiry of three days, or later than seven days,” according to the rules.

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Courtesy Dawn News

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Karachi, MAR 19: The Board of Management (BoM), Quaid-e-Azam House Museum – Institute of Nation Building-constituted as a public/private venture and given legal cover by Sindh Government's notification, in accordance with Sindh High Court's Order dated 6th April 2021, organised the “Jinnah Inter-School Declamation Competition 2022” today, at Quaid-e-Azam House Museum (Flagstaff House), Karachi.

It should be noted that after over a decade, the annual popular event for students of Karachi schools was resumed by the Board of Management, Quaid-e-Azam House Museum Institute of Nation Building. 

The final round of the Jinnah Declamation Competition 2022 was held on 19 March following two rounds for the selection of finalists on 17 and 18 March in which 29 students participated. Over 65 Karachi-based schools were invited to participate. 

Among the 12 finalists were Samia Bint from Mama Parsi School; Abyanuddin Ahmed Ansari from St. Michaels Convent School; Abid Ali from Ida Rieu School; Pratik Harani from St. Pauls High School; Aliya Zehra from Al Murtuza School; Bakhtawar Jahanzeb from PECHS School; Nawal Abbasi from Aisha Bawany Academy; Sabeen Hameed from Bahria College, EABT Majeed Campus; Marium Kapadia from Jaffer Public School; Eman Ali from Bahria College, Karsaz; Munazza Fareed from Sindh Madressatul Islam; Hadiya Iman from Karachi Public School.   

The judges were Naseem Liaquat Merchant, The Jinnah Society; Ameena Saiyid, Lightstone Publishers; Aliya Tayabi and Dr Huma Baqai, IBA, Karachi.

The topics for the finalists were: Jinnah’s Pakistan and Pakistan and the Muslim world – Interaction and Benefits. Attractive prizes were given to the first three winning students. First position was awarded to Abid Ali from Ida Rieu School and was given the ‘Jinnah Trophy’ along with Rs. 50,000/- cash prize, books, merit certificate. 

Second position was awarded to Eman Ali from Bahria College, Karsaz and was given the ‘Jinnah Shield’ along with Rs. 25,000/- cash prize and books. 

Third position was awarded to Bakhtawar Jahanzeb from PECHS School and was given the ‘Jinnah Cup’ along with Rs. 15,000/- cash prize and books. 

All participating students were given certificates of participation while the 12 finalists received certificates of merit. 

All students present at the venue received complimentary copies of the book on Jinnah, titled ‘Our Quaid’, a brainchild of Liaquat Merchant, Jinnah’s grand nephew, written for primary school pupils by Amina Azfar and published by Lightstone Publishers with a Foreword by Mrs. Nadira Panjwani from Panjwani Charitable Foundation & Trust. 

Introduction by Ameena Saiyid, was presented to all the students at the event. Students, Parents, Teachers and Principals were present at the event. 

The Guest of Honour, Mr Mohsin Nathani, Head of Habib Metropolitan Bank, the main sponsor mingled with the children and took pictures with the winners. Mr Liaquat Merchant, Senior Vice-Chairman BoM, Mr Ikram Sehgal, Chairman Pathfinder Group and Ameena Saiyid, Lightstone Publishers also spoke. 

The event was sponsored by Habib Metropolitan Bank Limited, The Jinnah Society and Karachi Council on Foreign Relations. It will become an annual event at the Quaid-e-Azam House Museum in addition to other nation-building activities for students. A similar event will be arranged for students in Urdu and Sindhi. 

Refreshments were served on conclusion of the event.

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